Sigh, what's the point? - Now All sorted :)

[Alexg]

Old car Mojo loss.

 

As some of you may know I have a MK1 MG Metro. It's a bit ratty looking (which I like) but drives well. As I have a company car with work the MG only gets used on my day off, Wednesdays. I love it, I love driving it, I love breaking up the sea of boring grey German saloons that usually pass through the town centre. I actually look forward to my day off just so I can take it for a spin! My parents on the other hand keep asking what my facination is with it and the Mrs keeps asking when I'm going to sell it.

 

Since moving into our first house together the MG spends it's time parked at the end of a block of garages behind the house. 3 or 4 other cars park there also but are in daily use. After each time I use the car I park it the other way around people notice that it actually moves. I had saturday off this week to attend a wedding and before attending I shot off into town early in the morning, in the Metro obviously, and returned parking up in the usual spot. The wedding was in Uckfield, about an hour away, and I took the company car as the Mrs won't go in the Metro.

 

I returned at midday today after staying over in the hotel. I pulled into where the garages are to be greeted by my MG, facing me, half on the road half on the pavement and not where I parked it. For a split second I was confused, what's it doing there? Well it soon became apparent- completely smashed ignition, bent steering wheel, broken steering lock. The whole thing is bent to buggery. For fuck sake....

 

Luckily for me the reason they couldn't get it going was that they didn't find the hidden immobilisor switch. They have

obviously pushed it round the corner, then given up. Which is what I feel like doing. Sometimes owning this shit is more grief than it's worth.

[warren t claim]

SCUM! Having their bollocks injected with aids is to good for likes of them.

[Lord Sterling]

Sorry to hear about that Alex. Not nice.

 

Is it possible for you to try and rent a block in the garages? Until then I'd stick a steering lock onto it, just to act as a visual deterrent.

 

The problem is today, opportunists twats will see an old car and think because its old it wont have the same anti-theft protection as newer cars.

 

This happend to my Sterling some time earlier this year, some young fuck bent the door back on it, but thankfully the alarm went off before he could do anymore damage. I wacked on a big yellow steering lock, just as a visual deterrent.

 

Dont let this affect you or your mojo for all things old cars. Just because some dickheads tried to steal it, doesnt mean you have to sell just to make everyone else happy. I also wouldnt worry about what other people say (family, 'friends') I dont buy cars to please them, I buy old cars to please me and suit my own tastes.

 

If you can get yourself a garage in the block, buy yourself a steering lock and wang it on.

[barrett]

This is awful dude... people like that need some 'middle east' style hand-chopping. Unfortunately if you tried that you'd probably end up in prison, so the biggest 'fuck you' you can give to these scumbags is to carry on using your Metro as much as possible.

I'd agree with Lord Sterling about a steering lock, doesn't even have to be a good one if you've got an immobiliser, but it might make the next set of mouth-breathers think twice before bending your door frame....

[Claypole]

There's a proper Disklok on Ebay - £39.95 but it's in your area so you can save the £8.99 they want for postage.

 

Item number: 260678725426

 

My Bmw's only got 3 wheels at the minute but I've still got one on it as a big "keep off".

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

Sorry to hear about the Metro, what a PITA At least you've still got it, and it can be repaired.

 

One of the first things I had to buy when I got my current car was a new steering wheel - some twat had tried to force its steering lock off. Keep meaning to buy a Disklok, but not got round to it as the car's garaged at the moment.

[Mr Lobster]

Sorry to hear about that. This sort of stuff really pisses me off.

 

Not really surprised your old car mojo has taken a bit of a hit. But try not to let it get to you. Its not easy if you don't have any support from friends and family either. I guess I'm lucky in that Mrs_L likes my R4 as much as I do although none of my friends really understand why I mess about with old cars when I could just go out and buy something new if I wanted.

 

Get on t'internet and find the bits you need ASAP, that way it doesn't end up sat there and deteriorating. Visual deterant is also a good idea. Once you get the replacement bits and get it back on the road it'll restore your mojo I expect, don't let this sort of crap put you off!

[garethj]

I had my cheap old Polo broken into last year and it was a real pain. The only way to deal with it is to get it running asap, take a day off and get it done IMHO. The weather’s only getting colder and you’ll be less inclined to go and fix it next month, especially with “advice†from your nearest and dearest.

 

After a break-in (and I’ve only had 3 over the years) my mind normally turns to security – once the rage wears off and ideas of electrocution fade the two I wonder about are:

 

1. Fitting the car with a webcam or two linked to the alarm so you can get the scrotes faces on video for proof. Dunno how expensive a system is to build though.

2. Put in a cheap alarm but instead of linking it to a siren that everyone ignores, link it to a 12V smoke canister (theatrical effects) and fill the car with smoke. This means they can’t drive it away, can’t see to nick your stereo and more people will take notice with smoke pouring from the car. One day I’ll have £50 and half a day spare, and I’ll build one.

 

If you’re happy with the Metro, get it back on the road. Good luck.

[RedSparrow]

FUCK!

 

Sorry to hear this mate.

 

That's the second time in 6 months that switch has stopped that car getting nicked. I'm glad whoever fitted it did so now.

I hope the damage isn't too bad.

[Station]

Get one of these and put it in the car. It has a stupid standby life (a week) and records when it hears a noise. I have one in mine.

 

http://www.gizmag.com/md80-micro-video- ... eap/13877/

 

Can't they steal some new car or something? Arseholes.

[seth]

Sorry to hear that. Bloody infuriating.

 

It wasn't Pog was it?

[Alexg]

Thanks for the words of encouragement

 

That's the second time in 6 months that switch has stopped that car getting nicked.

 

Yeah, its priceless!

 

Here is the mess.

 

 

 

Im rather annoyed with myself as I have a steering lock in the garage, and for the last few days Ive been meening to go put it on

 

 

On another note, Kent Police were excellent. I informed them of the crime, and the lady on the phone was proffessional and seemed genuinely interested in every detail. She recorded all the information and informed me than I would be contacted by the Scenes of Crime Unit within 4 hours. I was contacted by them within 1 hour and asked when it was convenient for me for them to visit. We arranged for after 16.00. Between them arriving I was contacted by Kent Police again to confirm details and to see if I wanted a Police Officer to come and visit me. I declined. At 17.00 the Forensic Lady arrived and finger printed the whole car. Unfortunatly it looks as though those involved were wearing gloves. Which is strange because I would have expected it to be more of an opportunist thief rather than anything planned? - maybe there are sticky fingered Mini owners in the neighbourhood? Anyway I was a bit taken aback by the keeness and efficacy of the Police, so +1 for the boys in blue!

[Station]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MG-METRO-STEERING ... 4153aa24a5

 

What were they trying to do? Break the steering lock or something? Didn't they realise once it's past a few degrees, it's probably not going to shift anymore? Fucking neanderthals!! How did they get in, bend the door back?

[Father Ted]

I like that spy cam.

Just bought one for £9.05 all in off the bay.

Might use it in my caravan when it gets sited next year.

 

Utter arseflakes aout the car, can you source any bits off the metro owners club?

[Station]

Those cameras are amazing, the quality is top notch, I saw one on here and bought one.

[brammy777]

What shit luck, but its repairable and thank god they didnt set fire to it or anything. How much does a garage cost to rent round your way? I remember when someone broke into my old colleges car park (with all the cars we worked on inside) and they attempted to hotwire cars with an immoboliser. Good work, someone also decided to steal the written off Focus with a front wheel at 45 degrees, suffice to say they wrote it off even more.

[boobydoo]

Sorry to hear what happened...there really is some right scum out there.

Surely its worth trying to rent a garage off the council? I pay £8 a week for mine...I'm just not prepared to leave my cars out for one single night ..I even worry about them when in the garage aswell to be honest...there always seem to be crowds of kids hanging around.

[Split_Pin]

Thats seriously cack, just dont let those scumbags ruin your enjoyment of your car.

 

I have an MG Metro steering wheel up in my Folk's loft that I plundered from my old work's F-reg MG 1300 example when it was scrapped back in the 1990's. Its of the later 2-spoke style and is a little tired looking, but its intact and has the badge. I think I even have the fixing nut and rubber cover for that in my toolbox.

 

If you want it, PM me your address and I'll post it to you FOC. I've got the gearstick cover and grille too, if they are any use, although they are facelift items.

[Quintus]

There are few things more frustrating than this. Good luck with the repairs.

 

I can recommend the Disklok; they're a bit hefty but I've used one for years and it's an excellent visual deterrent.

[Angrydicky]

Damn that's a real bastard Alex, these old hatchbacks are a real target to joyriders. My mates old J reg Fiesta got nicked one night, they bent back the door to get in and dumped it on its side in a ditch 10 miles away. At least you had the immobiliser, so you still have the car.

 

If I were you I would be seriously looking at renting a lockup or blagging a garage off a friend/relative, this will have the added benefit of keeping the car dry.

[Alexg]

I have an MG Metro steering wheel up in my Folk's loft that I plundered from my old work's F-reg MG 1300 example when it was scrapped back in the 1990's. Its of the later 2-spoke style and is a little tired looking, but its intact and has the badge. I think I even have the fixing nut and rubber cover for that in my toolbox.

 

If you want it, PM me your address and I'll post it to you FOC. I've got the gearstick cover and grille too, if they are any use, although they are facelift items.

 

Id love it, if no to much trouble. Let me PM you some money for postage at least. Thanks

 

Luckily the body work remained undamaged for entry. Currently the car has the steering lock on whats lest of the wheel, and Ive removed the battery

[Rusty Pelican]

Thats just plain shit news , why cant these twats just get put down , seems to be no respect for other peoples stuff these days , my cars are in garages and i still worry , secret kill switches are the way forward as would be limb amputation as has been said .

[kevin 900]

FFS! I hate these bastards! I had an attempted theft of an old Saab earlier in the year & know the sinking feeling you get when you see it for the first time.

Now got a different car out the back & shit myself the same thing will happen.

 

I bought a Stoplock Pro for the steering wheel, as no-one round here seems to have a garage to rent...

 

Get a garage if you can, and/or a visual deterrent.

[Split_Pin]

I have an MG Metro steering wheel up in my Folk's loft that I plundered from my old work's F-reg MG 1300 example when it was scrapped back in the 1990's. Its of the later 2-spoke style and is a little tired looking, but its intact and has the badge. I think I even have the fixing nut and rubber cover for that in my toolbox.

 

If you want it, PM me your address and I'll post it to you FOC. I've got the gearstick cover and grille too, if they are any use, although they are facelift items.

 

Id love it, if no to much trouble. Let me PM you some money for postage at least. Thanks

 

OK no problem if you let me have a note of your address I'll duly dispatch it to you

[Espacetic]

Better bet than a disklock is to get one of the quick release steering wheels so all that is left is the boss. I know they don't look as good as having the original one on there, but it stops them even thinking about trying to steal the car.

Sad news though, don't let it marr your enjoyment of such a fantastic and increasingly rare little car.

[Timewaster]

If you give up now, the scrotes have won and another soon to be extinct Metro will die at the hands of a mini modifier.

 

+1 on trying to rent a garage. It might make things smoother with the misus if the MG is out of sight too

[Alexg]

Thank you IainL!!!

 

Here is your old wheel, put to good use

 

 

Also thanks to apbellamy from Metro owners club forum who sent a column, ignition lock etc all again for the price of postage

[Angrydicky]

Good stuff! Now you just need to find that garage

[Negative Creep]

Glad you're getting it all sorted out!

[retrogeezer]

Cool, glad to see it is more or less back to it's old self.

 

I'd love an MG Metro some day.....my dad had a brand new black Y reg one with the black trim before they changed it to the grey.